DR. SCHQMBURGK’S RESEARCHES IN GUIANA. 453 
with shields,—those on the belly being perfectly formed, while those on the tail 
were not entire; and there were four rows of small pointed scales, which 
terminated the tail. Its colour was yellow, with black spots in the form of a 
lozenge, its length about six feet and a half. On our approach it coiled its tail, 
and raised its head to the height of three feet with a gently trembling motion: 
it then uncoiled itself, and repeated the same manoeuvre in the reverse manner, 
making its head the point of support, and vibrating its elevated tail: it was in 
the act of renewing this singular feat when it was shot through the head. 
Our wish to see the tree which produces the aromatic bark was not gratified. 
After we had searched for hours at the place where the tree was said to be, the 
Indians had to acknowledge they could not find it. I was subsequently fortunate 
enough to procure at least the bark and leaves, though the tree was at the period 
in that state so uninteresting to botanists, bearing neither blossom nor fruit. The 
bark is highly aromatic, and is used by the Indians in dysentery, fluxes, and 
other similar diseases. I saw likewise the Varnish-tree, possessing a milk which, 
after being boiled to a consistency, is used to give to their cassida-graters and 
other instruments a gloss and more durability; but in this instance I w T as not 
more fortunate than in the former. The tree was in its state of rest, and neither 
in blossom nor covered with fruit. It is from fifty to sixty feet high, its bark 
rather grey, and the leaves most resemble those of the Amyris. 
There are chiefly two species of Turtle which frequent the Rupunoony and 
upper Essequibo: Emys tricarinata , called by the Indians 44 Casseepan and 
another species perhaps of the same genus, which the Indians call 44 Tarakayba” 
There is a third species of fresh-water Turtle, which, however, is scarce on the 
Rupunoony ; it is the 44 Matamata” or Chelys Jimbriata of authors; the latter is 
about two feet long, the nose terminates in a kind of proboscis, the feet are 
webbed, five toes before and four behind, are armed with claws, and the short tail* 
is rather rounded. The large head and the elongated nose give to this species 
quite a peculiar appearance; its flesh is as delicate as that of the other fresh-water 
Turtle. The eggs of the two first species are gathered by the Indians in large 
quantities in the months of February and March. They are different in form ; 
those of the first are almost perfectly round, and the calcareous shell resembles 
parchment; while those of the second, smaller in size and of an oblong shape, 
might be taken for birds’ eggs. The eggs of the 44 Tarakayba are more delicate 
than those of the 44 Casseepan they are generally deposited in holes, the 
number of eggs contained in them amounting to from sixteen to twenty. 
We now left the Currassawaak, and in the course of the next day arrived at 
the junction of the Rupunoony with the Essequibo, when we began to ascend 
the latter river. The vegetation of its banks was more luxuriant than that of 
